Guide · FRAEW vs FRA
FRAEW vs fire risk assessment: what is the difference?
How a FRAEW to PAS 9980:2026 differs from a fire risk assessment, how the two work together, and which one your building needs.
In short: a fire risk assessment (FRA) is the legal assessment of fire risk across the whole building, which the responsible person must keep under review. A FRAEW is a specialist appraisal of the external walls to PAS 9980:2026. Since the Fire Safety Act 2021, the FRA must cover the external walls, and where the fire risk assessor cannot conclude on them, a FRAEW provides the evidence.
Side by side
| Fire risk assessment | FRAEW | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Assess fire risk across the building and set out the measures needed | Assess the risk of fire spreading over the external walls |
| Basis | A legal duty under the Fire Safety Order 2005 in England and Wales, with equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland | The method in PAS 9980:2026, a code of practice |
| Scope | Escape routes, fire doors, detection and alarms, compartmentation, management, and the external walls | External wall build-ups and attachments such as balconies, in the context of the whole building |
| Intrusive? | Usually non-intrusive | May include targeted opening-up of the wall |
| Outcome | An action plan for the building | An overall risk rating and proportionate recommendations |
| When | Kept under regular review | When needed, and reviewed when the building, walls or evidence change |
How they work together
The fire risk assessor considers the external walls as part of the whole building. Where the walls cannot be judged from what the assessor can see and the records available, the FRA will usually recommend a FRAEW. The FRAEW then answers that question in depth, and its findings and recommendations feed back into the FRA and its action plan.
Which one do you need?
- Every building in scope needs a fire risk assessment, kept under review by the responsible person.
- You need a FRAEW when the FRA recommends one, for a Cladding Safety Scheme application, when a lender or valuer needs evidence about the walls, or before deciding on remediation. Read do I need a FRAEW?
Related surveys
FRAs often lead to other specialist surveys as well as a FRAEW, particularly compartmentation surveys and fire door surveys. We carry out these alongside FRAEWs and work with your fire risk assessor, so the findings join up.
Frequently asked questions
Does a FRAEW replace the fire risk assessment?
No. The fire risk assessment remains the legal assessment for the whole building. A FRAEW provides specialist evidence about the external walls that feeds into it.
Does the fire risk assessment have to cover the external walls?
Yes. The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that, in England and Wales, the fire risk assessment of a multi-occupied residential building covers the external walls, including cladding, balconies and windows.
Can one firm do both?
We carry out FRAEWs, compartmentation surveys and fire door surveys, and work alongside your fire risk assessor so that the findings are consistent.
Related reading
Talk to us
Has your FRA recommended a FRAEW?
McKay Turner Consulting are Homes England approved Cladding Safety Scheme assessors, carrying out PAS 9980 FRAEWs and EWS1 assessments across the UK.